Correlation of the Electrical Resistivities of Fabrics With Their Ability to Develop and to Hold Electrostatic Charges

Abstract

Surface and volume resistivities, charge generation by friction with nylon, poly ethylene and Teflon, and rates of decay of charge in air were determined for 29 fabrics at 25, 38, and 65% RH. In addition, the coefficients of kinetic friction were determined at 65% RH. The initial charges generated were approximately the same for all the fabrics and were independent of relative humidity for the range used. However, these initial charges varied with the surfaces against which the fabrics rubbed, but the varia tion has no relationship to the coefficients of friction. For some of the fabrics, the decay curves (In voltage/time) were linear. However, for most of the fabrics, the decay curves were linear only after several minutes, and these curves are shown to be the sum of two linear components. Good correlation is shown to exist between the electrical resistivities and the rates of charge decay, especially at low values of relative humidity.